Heart Score: Do You Know Your Calcium Heart Score?

CALCIUM HEART SCORE TEST SPECIAL

What is a Calcium Heart Test?

The best way to prevent heart disease is to know your risk. The latest technology available to identify those risks is available at South Denver Heart Center.

Calcium Score

The Calcium Heart Score, the world’s first volume computed system tomography technology. This specialized test is designed to measure the calcium levels in the coronary arteries by rotating a thin x-ray beam around the patient to create an image. The Calcium Heart Score can capture images of a beating heart in five heartbeats, more than twice as fast as conventional multi-slice CT scanners. The rotation of the scanner produces 64-images, providing our cardiologists with amazing technology by which to understand what’s going on with your heart. The Calcium Heart Score is able to accurately identify the calcium that is found in the plaque. This calcium “score” provides you with the degree of calcification, which can determine your risk of having a heart attack in the future.

Why Should I have A Calcium Heart Test?

The Calcium Heart Score is the only clinically proven non-invasive test for the early detection of heart disease. If you have any of the following risk factors the calcium heart score is right for you. A woman over 40 years of age or a man over 35 years of age. Or anyone with two or more of the following risk factors:

Hypertension

High Cholesterol

Diabetes

Sedentary or stressful lifestyle

Low HDL levels

Elevated LDL

Cigarette smoker or former smoker

Elevated triglycerides

Family history of heart disease

Obesity

What should you expect from your Calcium Heart Score Test?

The Calcium Heart Score takes less than 5 minutes and is totally painless. The scanner is fully open and there is no need to change your clothing. The process consists of laying on the scan table with three electrodes applied to the chest. You only need to hold your breath a few times and then the scan is complete. It’s that simple! The heart score is then immediately processed in our facility and read onsite by one of our nurses who has been specially trained in interpreting Calcium Heart Scores. The results are also sent to your primary care physician. The Calcium Heart Score will also be reviewed by a radiologist with a report of any subsequent findings sent to you and your physicians.

What causes calcified plaque?

Plaque is formed from cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances in the blood. When blood cholesterol levels are high, there is a greater chance that plaque will build up on the artery walls. In most people, this process begins when they are children or teenagers and worsens as they get older.

Appointments are required for this test. Call 303-744-1065 to set up and appointment at the South Denver Heart Center by phone or request an appointment online.